Miyazaki retrospective, i.e. "Totoro Power" (JAN&R, 9/91)

     The following article is reprinted from page 1 of the September,
1991 issue (Issue 5, Volume 1) of JAPANESE ANIMATION NEWS AND REVIEW: THE
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF HOKUBEI ANIME-KAI (NORTH AMERICAN ANIME CIRCLE).
The Editor (-in-Chief) is Mark A. Weiss, and this issue actually came out
in November -- despite the cover-date (because it's an AnimeCon Special).

HAYAO MIYAZAKI: A RETROSPECTIVE OF HIS FILMOGRAPHY
by Takatomo Nakagawa

Editor's Note: Takatomo Nakagawa is our Japanese correspondent.  His
writing appears in our publication from time to time in the form of an
open letter.  For the most part, I have made it a point to reprint his
writings in their original form.  As a result, some expressions may seem
unusual to our stateside readers, however, one should keep in mind the
perspective of the writer.  We are fortunate (and honored) to have the
first-hand information from Mr. Nakagawa appearing in our publication.  I
feel that his understanding of Mr. Miyazaki's work is enlightening, as
well as a treatise to help us understand the Japanese way of thought.

     I'm writing about Hayao Miyazaki.
     It is needless to write that he is the best anime maker in Japan; in
fact, he is the best and most popular "film" maker.  His popularity as a
film maker is as well as Akira Kurosawa's.  For example, TOTORO is the
second most popular movie of the Japanese, according to questionnaires
sent by the largest TV station -- NHK (the first is Samurai directed by
Akira Kurosawa).  And according to questionnaires sent by the largest
magazine -- PIA, NAUSICAA is the third of all (the first is E.T.).  As
above, people are divided into two factions, the NAUSICAA and the TOTORO
ones, but "Miyazaki-anime" finally has high popularity.  Not only anime
fans but also others love him.
     At first, he leapt into fame by LUPIN III THE CASTLE OF CALIOSTRO
(I don't know the spelling of it) in 1979.  This is an action movie of
good quality.  Some of "007" series, I have heard, were made after the
model of it.
     Before, he made a TV anime series FUTURE BOY CONAN in 1978.  This
anime was popular, but Mr. Miyazaki didn't become known to the public
yet.  CONAN is a compilation of anime making, drawing and direction.  So
this is a textbook for anime makers.
     Next, he made NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND in 1984.  This is a
monumental work for him.  It made a great sensation and moved us to
tears.  This movie and the heroine -- Nausicaa have continued to be
judged "The best of successful anime" and "The best of successful
character" in Anime Grand Prix in Animage since then.  It enabled anime
to be on equal footing with live action.
     Next, he made LAPUTA, THE CASTLE IN THE SKY in 1986.  This movie has
the highest quality of his anime.  It is compilation of his
entertainment; an exciting story, a skillful direction, excellent music,
refreshing scenes of flying, and an aura that invites us to a joyful
ocean of teardrops.
     Next, he made MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO.  This movie also made a great
sensation because it expressed the scenery which Japanese had forgotten
for growth and an adult had done for growth.  The scene of TOTORO is a
suburb of Tokyo in the 1950-60's.  The scenery of TOTORO is the origin of
Japanese soul.  Though we had forgotten it, TOTORO showed it to us.  So
it also moved an adult, though it was made for children.  It won most of
the Japanese movie awards for 1988.  Well people say that Totoro changed
children.  Children believe Totoro to live in a tree, so they conduct a
mass protest movement against cutting down tress.  Not only a forest but
also a roadside tree was preserved by them.  People call it "Totoro
Power".
     Next, he made KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE in 1989.  This movie drew the
most audience of a Japanese movie.  It was made for teenagers who worry
about our future; independence or identity.  This is a cheering movie for
them.  Talking by Kiki and Urusra in the cottage gave them courage.
     In my case, I knew him first for NAUSICAA.  I watched it on the
school event.  I was astonished and moved.  This event proved to be the
turning point in my life.  By the way, in 1984, NAUSICAA, U.Y. 2
BEAUTIFUL DREAMER and MACROSS (ROBOTECH) were put on the screen.  That
was a bumper year for the anime movie.  Next, LAPUTA was put on the
screen, but TOTORO is more important for me.  TOTORO is the best movie
for me.  I was moved with pureness of characters.  Mr. Miyazaki expressed
the feeling carefully, which we used to have in our childhood.  We used
to be interested in everything; a tadpole, an acorn, and small things.
We may have seen TOTORO, usuwatari, or Neko-bus (Cat-bus).  When I
watched TOTORO, I thought, I may have forgotten very important things.
So I cried in the theatre and was suffering from wiping out tears.  And
further, GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES was another movie put on the screen with
TOTORO.  My tears were the flood and the flood purified my mind.  Next, I
watched KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE.  I was 17 years old at the time.  This
movie supported my mind.  I thought I watched a fit movie on the fit
time.  And now, he is producing a new movie OMOIDE PORO PORO.  I have no
words to describe my thanks for him.  I think we are very happy because
we can live with him and watch anime shows of him.
     How about the above.  Now I'm making a list of LDs.  Next time, I'll
write the list, a composition about Gainax studio which made SECRET OF
BLUE WATER, etc.  All for now.

                         [END OF ARTICLE]

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